Outer loop power control for wireless communications

ABSTRACT

An integrated circuit configured for outer loop power control uses data transmitted in temporary dedicated channel allocations. A target metric, preferably, target SIR, is adjusted with differing step up and step down increments to converge on a relatively low steady state level of step up and step down target metric adjustments. The initial target SIR and the transient step size for target SIR adjustment is determined in a dynamic way in the outer loop power control for each Temp-DCH allocation of non-real time data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/803,125 filed May 11, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/721,392 filed Nov. 25, 2003, which issued on May15, 2007 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,218,949, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application 60/444,850, filed Feb. 4, 2003, and U.S.Provisional Application No. No. 60/429,888, filed Nov. 26, 2002, whichare incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to wireless communications. Inparticular, the invention relates to power control in suchcommunications.

BACKGROUND

Wireless telecommunication systems are well known in the art. In orderto provide global connectivity for wireless systems, standards have beendeveloped and are being implemented. One current standard in widespreaduse is known as Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM). Thisis considered as a so-called Second Generation mobile radio systemstandard (2G) and was followed by its revision (2.5G). GPRS and EDGE areexamples of 2.5G technologies that offer relatively high speed dataservice on top of (2G) GSM networks. Each one of these standards soughtto improve upon the prior standard with additional features andenhancements. In January 1998, the European Telecommunications StandardInstitute—Special Mobile Group (ETSI SMG) agreed on a radio accessscheme for Third Generation Radio Systems called Universal MobileTelecommunications Systems (UMTS). To further implement the UMTSstandard, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) was formed inDecember 1998. 3GPP continues to work on a common third generationalmobile radio standard.

A typical UMTS system architecture in accordance with current 3GPPspecifications is depicted in FIG. 1. The UMTS network architectureincludes a Core Network (CN) interconnected with a UMTS TerrestrialRadio Access Network (UTRAN) via an interface known as Iu which isdefined in detail in the current publicly available 3GPP specificationdocuments. The UTRAN is configured to provide wireless telecommunicationservices to users through wireless transmit receive units (WTRUs), knownas User Equipments (UEs) in 3GPP, via a radio interface known as Uu. TheUTRAN has one or more Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) and basestations, known as Node Bs in 3GPP, which collectively provide for thegeographic coverage for wireless communications with UEs. One or moreNode Bs are connected to each RNC via an interface known as lub in 3GPP.The UTRAN may have several groups of Node Bs connected to differentRNCs; two are shown in the example depicted in FIG. 1. Where more thanone RNC is provided in a UTRAN, inter-RNC communication is performed viaan lur interface.

Communications external to the network components are performed by theNode Bs on a user level via the Uu interface and the CN on a networklevel via various CN connections to external systems.

In general, the primary function of base stations, such as Node Bs, isto provide a radio connection between the base stations' network and theWTRUs. Typically a base station emits common channel signals allowingnon-connected WTRUs to become synchronized with the base station'stiming. In 3GPP, a Node B performs the physical radio connection withthe UEs. The Node B receives signals over the lub interface from the RNCthat control the radio signals transmitted by the Node B over the Uuinterface.

A CN is responsible for routing information to its correct destination.For example, the CN may route voice traffic from a UE that is receivedby the UMTS via one of the Node Bs to a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) or packet data destined for the Internet. In 3GPP, the CNhas six major components: 1) a serving General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) support node; 2) a gateway GPRS support node; 3) a bordergateway; 4) a visitor location register; 5) a mobile services switchingcenter; and 6) a gateway mobile services switching center. The servingGPRS support node provides access to packet switched domains, such asthe Internet. The gateway GPRS support node is a gateway node forconnections to other networks. All data traffic going to otheroperator's networks or the internet goes through the gateway GPRSsupport node. The border gateway acts as a firewall to prevent attacksby intruders outside the network on subscribers within the networkrealm. The visitor location register is a current serving networks‘copy’ of subscriber data needed to provide services. This informationinitially comes from a database which administers mobile subscribers.The mobile services switching center is in charge of ‘circuit switched’connections from UMTS terminals to the network. The gateway mobileservices switching center implements routing functions required based oncurrent location of subscribers. The gateway mobile services switchingcenter also receives and administers connection requests fromsubscribers from external networks.

The RNCs generally control internal functions of the UTRAN. The RNCsalso provides intermediary services for communications having a localcomponent via a Uu interface connection with a Node B and an externalservice component via a connection between the CN and an externalsystem, for example overseas calls made from a cell phone in a domesticUMTS.

Typically a RNC oversees multiple base stations, manages radio resourceswithin the geographic area of wireless radio service coverage servicedby the Node Bs and controls the physical radio resources for the Uuinterface. In 3GPP, the Iu interface of an RNC provides two connectionsto the CN: one to a packet switched domain and the other to a circuitswitched domain. Other important functions of the RNCs includeconfidentiality and integrity protection.

In many wireless communication systems, adaptive transmission powercontrol algorithms are used. In such systems, many communications mayshare the same radio frequency spectrum. When receiving a specificcommunication, all the other communications using the same spectrumcause interference to the specific communication. As a result,increasing the transmission power level of one communication degradesthe signal quality of all other communications within that spectrum.However, reducing the transmission power level too far results inundesirable received signal quality, such as measured by signal tointerference ratios (SIRs) at the receivers.

Various methods of power control for wireless communication systems arewell known in the art. Examples of open and closed loop power controltransmitter systems for wireless communication systems are illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. The purpose of such systems is torapidly vary transmitter power in the presence of a fading propagationchannel and time-varying interference to minimize transmitter powerwhile insuring that data is received at the remote end with acceptablequality.

In communication systems such as Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) Time Division Duplex (TDD) and Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)systems, multiple shared and dedicated channels of variable rate dataare combined for transmission. Background specification data for suchsystems are found at 3GPP TS 25.223 v3.3.0, 3GPP TS 25.222 v3.2.0, 3GPPTS 25.224 v3.6 and Volume 3 specifications of Air-Interface for 3GMultiple System Version 1.0, Revision 1.0 by the Association of RadioIndustries Businesses (ARIB). A fast method and system of power controladaptation for data rate changes resulting in more optimal performanceis taught in International Publication Number WO 02/09311 A2,publishedJan. 31, 2002 and corresponding U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/904,001, filed Jul. 12, 2001 owned by the assignee of the presentinvention.

In 3GPP W-CDMA systems, power control is used as a link adaptationmethod. Dynamic power control is applied for dedicated physical channels(DPCH), such that the transmit power of the DPCHs is adjusted to achievea quality of service (QoS) with a minimum transmit power level, thuslimiting the interference level within the system.

One approach is to divide transmission power control into separateprocesses, referred to as outer loop power control (OLPC) and inner looppower control (ILPC). The power control system is generally referred toas either open or closed dependent upon whether the inner loop is openor closed. The outer loops of both types of systems as illustrated inthe examples depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 are closed loops. The inner loopin the open loop type of system illustrated in FIGS. 2 is an open loop.

In outer loop power control, the power level of a specific transmitteris based on a target SIR value. As a receiver receives thetransmissions, the quality of the received signal is measured. Thetransmitted information is sent in units of transport blocks (TBs), andthe received signal quality can be monitored on a block error rate(BLER) basis. The BLER is estimated by the receiver, typically by acyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the data. This estimated BLER iscompared to a target quality requirement, such a target BLER,representative of QoS requirements for the various types of dataservices on the channel. Based on the measured received signal quality,a target SIR adjustment control signal is sent to the transmitter. Thetransmitter adjusts the target SIR in response to these adjustmentrequests.

In third generation partnership program (3GPP) wideband code divisionmultiple access (W-CDMA) systems utilizing time division duplex (TDD)mode, the UTRAN (SRNC-RRC) sets the initial target SIR to the WTRU atthe call/session establishment and then subsequently continuouslyadjusts the target SIR of the WTRU during the life term of the call asdictated by the observation of the uplink (UL) BLER measurement.

In inner loop power control, the receiver compares a measurement of thereceived signal quality, such as SIR, to a threshold value (i.e., thetarget SIR). If the SIR exceeds the threshold, a transmit power command(TPC) to decrease the power level is sent. If the SIR is below thethreshold, a TPC to increase the power level is sent. Typically, the TPCis multiplexed with data in a dedicated channel to the transmitter. Inresponse to received TPC, the transmitter changes its transmission powerlevel.

Conventionally, the outer loop power control algorithm in a 3GPP systemsets an initial target SIR for each coded composite transport channel(CCTrCH) based on the required target BLER, using a fixed mappingbetween BLER and SIR, assuming a particular channel condition. A CCTrCHis commonly employed for transmitting various services on a physicalwireless channel by multiplexing several transport channels (TrCHs),each service on its own TrCH. In order to monitor the BLER level on aCCTrCH basis, a reference transport channel (RTrCH) may be selectedamong the transport channels multiplexed on the considered CCTrCH. Forexample, a TrCH-1 may be selected for RTrCH as it may be regarded as amid-point of all channel conditions on the CCTrCH, including an AWGNchannel. A mismatch between a target BLER and a target SIR may varysignificantly depending on the given channel condition, especially atvery low BLER. For instance, the target SIR at a target BLER=0.01 forTrCH-1 in the Case 1 channel condition may require more than 4 dB overthe target SIR for another transport channel in the AWGN channelcondition, (i.e., TrCH-1 requires a stronger signal). When the WTRUconverts the target BLER to an initial target SIR, there may be an errorcaused by this channel condition mismatch, since the target SIR requiredfor a target BLER varies with channel conditions. As a result, theiterative process for target SIR determination has an initialdifferential that must be overcome by convergence to the requiredtarget, compounded by allowing the CRC process to occur, whichaltogether creates an undesirable delay for target SIR convergence.

The entire power control algorithm may suffer degraded performance as aresult of the delay. The delay is denoted in terms of the transmissionrate unit, a transmission time interval (TTI). The smallest interval isone frame of data, typically defined as 10 ms for a 3GPP communicationsystem. In a 3GPP system, TTIs are in lengths of 10, 20, 40, or 80 ms.

Also, a wireless channel can transmit a variety of services, such asvideo, voice, and data, each having different QoS requirements. Fornon-real time (NRT) data services, data is transmitted in many bursts ofshort duration. In a 3GPP system for example, these data bursts aremapped as transport blocks on a temporary dedicated channel (Temp-DCH).This mapping is also referred to in terms of Temp-DCH allocations. Oneor more transport blocks are mapped onto the channel per TTI. Thus, eachservice is mapped across several TTIs, while target SIR adjustments aremade on a TTI basis during OLPC for the Temp-DCH allocations.

When comparing voice and data types of transmissions, a real time (RT)voice transmission is more likely have a target BLER that is moretolerant (i.e., higher BLER value), while a NRT data transmissionrequires a lower rate of error with a lower target BLER. Accordingly,the expected delays to ensure QoS are longer for a data download thanfor a voice transmission. Further, the required transient step size fortarget SIR adjustments is set depending on the service's QoSrequirement. While the initial target SIR for RT data will alwaysconverge to the desired target SIR, the initial target SIR for NRT data,which is newly assigned per Temp-DCH allocation, may not converge to thedesired target SIR due to short duration of Temp-DCH allocation.

This invention recognizes that Temp-DCH allocation duration can be usedas an additional parameter to enhance power control.

SUMMARY

An integrated circuit implemented by a wireless transmit receive unit(WTRU) is configured for transmission power control where data signalsare transmitted in a forward channel in selectively sized blockallocations. Forward channel power adjustments are performed by a basestation as a function of target metrics computed based on the datasignals as received over the forward channel. A series of data signalblock allocations, each of a predetermined size S, is received from thebase station spaced apart in time on the forward channel. For the datasignals of each block allocation, a processor is configured forcomputing target metrics for the forward channel power adjustments basedon the detection of error conditions in the signals received on theforward channel, including setting an initial target metric value andstoring a last target metric computed for each block allocation of data.The processor is also configured such that for the data signals of eachblock allocation after a first block allocation, the initial targetmetric value are set as a function of the last target metric computedfor an immediately preceding block allocation and an inter-allocationadjustment based on the time spacing from the immediately precedingblock allocation. After a preliminary period at the initial value, thetarget metric is changed by a step up or a step down amount at timeintervals of a predetermined length whereby the target metric isincreased by the step up amount if a predetermined error condition hasbeen detected in an immediately preceding time interval or is decreasedby the step down amount if the predetermined error condition has notbeen detected the immediately preceding time interval. Setting the stepdown amount at an initial transient state level is based on thepredetermined block allocation size S, such that the initial step downamount is set at a level at least as great as a predetermined step downamount for a steady state steady state level. Where the initial stepdown amount is greater than the predetermined step down amount for thesteady state steady state level, the step down amount is reduced by aselected amount to a lower level if a predetermined error condition hasbeen detected in an immediately preceding time interval until the stepdown amount is reduced to the predetermined step down amount for thesteady state steady state level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a system architecture of a conventional UMTSnetwork.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conventional open loop power controlsystem for a wireless communication system which implements outer looppower control via a target SIR metric.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional closed loop powercontrol system for a wireless communication system which implementsouter loop power control via a target SIR metric.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of target SIR adjustments according with ajump algorithm as applicable to downlink OLPC.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plot of target SIR adjustments of an exemplary WTRUdownlink OLPC in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plot of target SIR adjustments of an exemplary WTRUdownlink OLPC with a compressed transient state in accordance with theteachings of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a method flowchart of an exemplary downlink OLPCalgorithm in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an enhanced OLPC algorithm for NRTdata in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described with reference to the drawing figureswherein like numerals represent like elements throughout. The terms basestation, wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and mobile unit are usedin their general sense. The term base station as used herein includes,but is not limited to, a base station, Node-B, site controller, accesspoint, or other interfacing device in a wireless environment thatprovides WTRUs with wireless access to a network with which the basestation is associated.

The term WTRU as used herein includes, but is not limited to, userequipment (UE), mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager,or any other type of device capable of operating in a wirelessenvironment. WTRUs include personal communication devices, such asphones, video phones, and Internet ready phones that have networkconnections. In addition, WTRUs include portable personal computingdevices, such as PDAs and notebook computers with wireless modems thathave similar network capabilities. WTRUs that are portable or canotherwise change location are referred to as mobile units.

Although the embodiments are described in conjunction with a thirdgeneration partnership program (3GPP) wideband code division multipleaccess (W-CDMA) system utilizing the time division duplex mode, theembodiments are applicable to any hybrid code division multiple access(CDMA)/time division multiple access (TDMA) communication system.Additionally, the embodiments are applicable to CDMA systems, ingeneral, such as the proposed frequency division duplex (FDD) mode of3GPP W-CDMA.

Conventional power control methods for wireless systems such as 3GPPutilize so-called inner and outer loops. The power control system isreferred to as either open or closed dependent upon whether the innerloop is open or closed. The outer loops of both types of systems areclosed loops.

Pertinent portions of an open loop power control system having a“transmitting” communication station 10 and a “receiving” communicationstation 30 are shown in FIG. 2. Both stations 10, 30 are transceivers.Typically one is a base station, called a Node B in 3GPP, and the othera type of WTRU, called a user equipment UE in 3GPP. For clarity, onlyselected components are illustrated and the invention is described interms of a preferred 3GPP system, but the invention has application towireless communication systems in general, even such systems thatperform ad hoc networking where WTRUs communicate between themselves.Power control is important to maintain quality signaling for multipleusers without causing excessive interference.

The transmitting station 10 includes a transmitter 11 having a data line12 which transports a user data signal for transmission. The user datasignal is provided with a desired power level which is adjusted byapplying a transmit power adjustment from an output 13 of a processor 15to adjust the transmission power level. The user data is transmittedfrom an antenna system 14 of the transmitter 11.

A wireless radio signal 20 containing the transmitted data is receivedby the receiving station 30 via a receiving antenna system 31. Thereceiving antenna system will also receive interfering radio signals 21which impact on the quality of the received data. The receiving station30 includes an interference power measuring device 32 to which thereceived signal is input which device 32 outputs measured interferencepower data. The receiving station 30 also includes a data qualitymeasuring device 34 into which the received signal is also input whichdevice 34 produces a data quality signal. The data quality measuringdevice 34 is coupled with a processing device 36 which receives thesignal quality data and computes target signal to interference ratio(SIR) data based upon a user defined quality standard parameter receivedthrough an input 37.

The receiving station 30 also includes a transmitter 38 which is coupledwith the interference power measuring device 32 and the target SIRgenerating processor 36. The receiving station's transmitter 38 alsoincludes inputs 40, 41, 42 for user data, a reference signal, andreference signal transmit power data, respectively. The receivingstation 30 transmits its user data and the control related data andreferences signal via an associated antenna system 39.

The transmitting station 10 includes a receiver 16 and an associatedreceiving antenna system 17. The transmitting station's receiver 16receives the radio signal transmitted from the receiving station 30which includes the receiving station's user data 44 and the controlsignal and data 45 generated by the receiving station 30.

The transmitting station's transmitter's processor 15 is associated withthe transmitting station's receiver 16 in order to compute a transmitpower adjustment. The transmitter 11 also includes a device 18 formeasuring received reference signal power which device 18 is associatedwith path loss computing circuitry 19.

In order to compute the transmit power adjustment, the processor 15receives data from a target SIR data input 22 which carries the targetSIR data generated by the receiver station's target SIR generatingprocessor 36, an interference power data input 23 which carries theinterference data generated by the receiving station's interferencepower measuring device 32, and a path loss data input 24 which carries apath loss signal that is the output of the path loss computing circuitry19. The path loss signal is generated by the path loss computingcircuitry 19 from data received via a reference signal transmit powerdata input 25 which carries the reference signal transmit power dataoriginating from the receiving station 30 and a measured referencesignal power input 26 which carries the output of the reference signalpower measuring device 18 of the transmitter 11. The reference signalmeasuring device 18 is coupled with the transmitting station's receiver16 to measure the power of the reference signal as received from thereceiving station's transmitter 38. The path loss computing circuitry 19preferably determines the path loss based upon the difference betweenthe known reference power signal strength conveyed by input 25 and themeasured received power strength conveyed by input 26.

Interference power data, reference signal power data and target SIRvalues are signaled to the transmitting station 10 at a ratesignificantly lower than the time-varying rate of the propagationchannel and interference. The “inner” loop is the portion of the systemwhich relies on the measured interface. The system is considered “openloop” because there is no feedback to the algorithm at a rate comparableto the time-varying rate of the propagation channel and interferenceindicating how good the estimates of minimum required transmitter powerare. If required transmit power level changes rapidly, the system cannotrespond accordingly to change the power adjustment in a timely manner.

With respect to the outer loop of the open loop power control system ofFIG. 2, at the remote receiver station 30, the quality of the receiveddata is evaluated via the measuring device 34. Typical metrics fordigital data quality are bit error rate and block error rate.Computation of these metrics requires data accumulated over periods oftime significantly longer than the period of the time-varyingpropagation channel and interference. For any given metric, there existsa theoretical relationship between the metric and received SIR. Whenenough data has been accumulated in the remote receiver to evaluate themetric, it is computed and compared with the desired metric(representing a desired quality of service) in processor 36 and anupdated target SIR is then output. The updated target SIR is that value(in theory) which applied in the transmitter inner loop would cause themeasured metric to converge to the desired value. Finally, the updatedtarget SIR is passed, via the receiving station transmitter 38 and thetransmitting station receiver 16, to the transmitter 11 for use in itsinner loop. The update rate of target SIR is bounded by the timerequired to accumulate the quality statistic and practical limits on thesignaling rate to the power-controlled transmitter.

With reference to FIG. 3, a communication system having a transmittingstation 50 and a receiving station 70 which employs a closed loop powercontrol system is illustrated.

The transmitting station 50 includes a transmitter 51 having a data line52 which transports a user data signal for transmission. The user datasignal is provided with a desired power level which is adjusted byapplying a transmit power adjustment from an output 53 of a processor 55to adjust the power level. The user data is transmitted via an antennasystem 54 of the transmitter 51.

A wireless radio signal 60 containing the transmitted data is receivedby the receiving station 70 via a receiving antenna system 71. Thereceiving antenna system will also receive interfering radio signals 61which impact on the quality of the received data. The receiving station70 includes an interference power measuring device 72 to which thereceived signal is input which device 72 outputs measured SIR data. Thereceiving station 70 also includes a data quality measuring device 73into which the received signal is also input which device 73 produces adata quality signal. The data quality measuring device 73 is coupledwith a processor 74 which receives the signal quality data and computestarget signal to interference ratio (SIR) data based upon a user definedquality standard parameter received through an input 75.

A combiner 76, preferably a subtracter, compares the measured SIR datafrom the device 72 with the computed target SIR data from the processor74, preferably by subtracting, to output an SIR error signal. The SIRerror signal from the combiner 76 is input to processing circuitry 77which generates step up/down commands based thereon.

The receiving station 70 also includes a transmitter 78 which is coupledwith the processing circuitry 77. The receiving station's transmitter 78also includes an input 80 for user data. The receiving station 70transmits its user data and the control related data via an associateantenna system 79.

The transmitting station 50 includes a receiver 56 and an associatedreceiving antenna system 57. The transmitting station's receiver 56receives the radio signal transmitted from the receiving station 70which includes the receiving station's user data 84 and the control data85 generated by the receiving station.

The transmitting station's transmitter's processor 55 has an input 58associated with the transmitting station's receiver 16. The processor 55receives the up/down command signal through input 58 and computes thetransmit power adjustments based thereon.

With respect to the inner loop of the closed loop power control system,the transmitting station's transmitter 51 sets its power based uponhigh-rate step up and step down commands generated by the remotereceiving station 70. At the remote receiving station 70, the SIR of thereceived data is measured by the measuring device 72 and compared with atarget SIR value generated by the processor 74 via combiner 76. Thetarget SIR is that value (in theory) which, given that the data isreceived with that value, results in a desired quality of service. Ifthe measured received SIR is less than the target SIR, a step downcommand is issued by the processing circuitry 77, via the receivingstation's transmitter 78 and the transmitting station's receiver 56, tothe transmitter 51, otherwise a step up command is issued. The powercontrol system is considered closed-loop because of the high-ratefeedback of the step up and step down commands which can react in realtime to the time-varying propagation channel and interference. Ifrequired transmit power level changes due to time varying interferenceand propagation, it quickly responds and adjusts transmit poweraccordingly.

With respect to the outer loop of the closed loop power control system,the quality of the received data is evaluated in the receiving station70 by the measuring device 73. Typical metrics for digital data qualityare bit error rate and block error rate. Computation of these metricsrequires data accumulated over periods of time significantly longer thanthe period of the time-varying propagation channel and interference. Forany given metric, there exists a theoretical relationship between themetric and received SIR. When enough data has been accumulated in theremote receiver to evaluate the metric, it is computed and compared withthe desired metric (representing a desired quality of service) by theprocessor 74 and an updated target SIR is then output. The updatedtarget SIR is that value (in theory) which applied in the receiveralgorithm would cause the measured metric to converge to the desiredvalue. The updated target SIR is then used in the inner loop todetermine the direction of the step up/down commands sent to thetransmitting station's power scale generating processor 55 to controlthe power of the transmitter 51.

For outer loop power control, irrespective of its implementation ineither an open loop system as illustrated in FIG. 2 or a closed loopsystem as illustrated in FIG. 3, an initial target metric, such astarget SIR, is set that is then recomputed based on the outer loopfeedback occurring during a wireless communication. Conventionally, theadjustment the target metric is performed using a fixed step methodwhere set increments of step up and step down are employed to convergeon a desired target.

This conventional approach is modified by the present invention todetermine the initial target SIR for NRT data. For example, a WTRU of a3GPP system at the beginning of a radio link setup or at a handover usesthe following conditional steps:

-   (1) If the duration (or TTI size S) of a first Temp-DCH allocation    is shorter than a threshold (e.g., a predetermined convergence time    target), then an initial target SIR is obtained from an initial    mapping look-up table and offset by a value (e.g., 2*log₁₀    (1/BLER)). The offset value is determined based on the variance of    fading channel conditions. For example, if fading channel conditions    are highly erratic, then an offset value will be adjusted upward.

The downlink outer loop power control does not make any adjustments tothe initial target SIR (i.e., the target SIR for Temp-DCH is fixed atthe initial target SIR). The downlink inner loop power control (ILPC)will run normally to compensate for fast fading andsystematic/measurement bias errors.

Generally, ILPC does not involve target SIR adjustments.

-   (2) If the duration of a first Temp-DCH allocation is longer than a    threshold (e.g., the predetermined convergence time target), then an    initial target SIR is obtained from an initial mapping look-up table    and the downlink power control operates normally.

(3) If the changes in target SIR (actual measured target SIR−initialtarget SIR from a RNC) for previous services are available, an initialtarget SIR for a new service is adjusted with the average of changes intarget SIR instead of above steps (1) and (2). This takes advantage ofthe increased accuracy achieved by the outer loop power control forprevious services.

After the initial target SIR is set, the down link outer loop powercontrol process utilizes a “jump” algorithm that adjusts a target SIRbased on the result of CRC of the data. FIG. 4 illustrates the use of ageneric jump algorithm graphically. Each step up and step down in targetSIR is a relatively fixed step size adjustment, once at the beginning ofeach TTI. A CRC is preferably performed at each TTI, and step downadjustments are made for every CRC having no error, while upon a CRCerror detection, a step up adjustment is made.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the basic jumpalgorithm is represented by the following. If the CRC check of the kthblock does not detect an error, then

target_SIR(k)=target_SIR(k−1)−SD (dB),   Equation 1

else, if a CRC error occurs, then

target_SIR(k)=target_SIR(k−1)+SU (dB)   Equation 2

where step down SD and step up SU are calculated by the followingequations:

SD=SS*target_BLER   Equation 3

SU=SS−SD   Equation 4

where SS is the step size for the adjustment to target SIR, which isfurther discussed below in conjunction with the preferred step sizevariations used in accordance to the teachings of the present invention.

There are generally three states for down link outer loop power control:a preliminary inner loop settling state, a transient state, and a steadystate. An example of the adjustments to target SIR during the differentdown link outer loop power control states in accordance with theinvention is illustrated in FIG. 5. A method and system for adjustingdownlink outer loop power to control target SIR is taught inInternational Application Number PCT/US 03/28412, filed Sep. 10, 2003and corresponding U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/659,673, filedSep. 10, 2003 owned by the assignee of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, target SIR is preferably maintained constantthroughout the inner loop settling state. In the inner loop settlingstate, the inner loop TPC algorithm corrects the initial systemsystematic error and the random measurement error without changing theinitial target SIR.

In the transient state, the outer loop power control algorithm attemptsto correct the initial target SIR error caused by the channel conditionmismatch. Initially, the jump algorithm in the transient statepreferably uses a large step down size to decrease the target SIRrapidly, i.e., it forces a CRC error to occur. In the steady state, theouter loop power control algorithm attempts to maintain a target SIR byutilizing a relatively small step down size. One aspect invention ofthis exemplary WTRU downlink OLPC is to transition a relatively largestep size initially used in the transient state to a smaller step sizeutilized in the steady state. Another aspect of this example is toincrease the step size in the steady state where no CRC error occurswithin a predetermined period.

In the transient state, a large initial step size SS_(TS) can becalculated, for example, based upon the target BLER and a number N_(B)of transport blocks per TTI for the reference transport channel RTrCH asfollows:

SS_(TS)=2 [log₁₀(1/BLER_target)]/NB (dB) Equation 5

For example, where BLER_target=10⁻² and NB=2, then SS_(TS)=2. Then,through the application of equations 3 and 4 above, the initial stepdown and step up values for the transient state SD_(T), SU_(T) areSD_(T)=0.02 and SU_(T)=(2-0.02)=1.98.

The occurrence of CRC errors is used to trigger reduction in the stepsize until the transient state step size converges to the step size ofthe steady state SS_(SS). For this example, the steady state SS_(SS) ispreferably calculated as follows:

SS _(SS)=0.25 [log₁₀(1/BLER_target)]/N _(B) (dB)   Equation 6

Preferably, when a CRC error occurs during a TTI in the transient state,the step size is preferably reduced by ½. The reduced step size is thenapplied to the jump algorithm. The procedure iterates until the new stepsize converges to the step size of the steady state. For the aboveexample, convergence occurs after three iterations sinceSS_(TS)=2³*SS_(SS). Accordingly, for each TTI having a CRC error duringthe transient state, the next step size is preferably reduced from theinitial step size SS_(TS) by ½^(n), where n is the number of TTIs sincethe start of transient state that contained at least one CRC error,until the new step size converges to the step size of the steady state.When convergence occurs, the steady state is entered and no furtherreduction of step size occurs.

FIG. 5 provides a graphic illustration of the above example in practice.At a first CRC error at point A, the target SIR is increased by one halfof a transient state step up SU_(T)/2. The CRC error also causes anadjustment in the step down size; subsequent transport blocks receivedwithout CRC error result in a decrease in target SIR by SD_(T)/2. Whenthe next CRC error occurs, the step up size is reduced to SU_(T)/4,target SIR is increased by that amount, and the step down size isadjusted to SD_(T)/4. This algorithm continues until the adjusted stepup size SU_(T) equals the steady state step up size SU_(S), which in theexample shown in both FIGS. 5 and 6, is equal to SU_(T)/8. At thispoint, steady state is entered. The step up and step down sizes arefixed at SU_(S) and SD_(S), respectively.

The convergence to the steady state can be quite rapid where CRC errorsare successively detected upon entering the transient state. FIG. 6illustrates this for the above example where several transport blocksare received with CRC error immediately after the transient state isentered, resulting in successive decreases by a transient state step upSU_(T) in the target SIR. As shown in FIG. 6, the initial CRC resultindicates an error at point A, which results in a step up in target SIRby SU_(T)/2, and setting of the step down size to SD_(T)/2. FIG. 6 alsoillustrates the possibility where the first CRC result after a step upindicates an error. In such case as shown at point B, the target SIR isincreased again, but by SU_(T)/4. To continue this worst case scenario,a CRC error occurs again at the third TTI in the transient state. Thenext target SIR step up adjustment becomes SU_(T)/8. Because this stepup is equal to the predetermined steady state step up SU_(S), thetransient state ends at this point, and the steady state commences. Thetarget SIR is consequently increased by SU_(S)=SU_(T)/8, and the stepdown size is set to SD_(S)=SD_(T)/8. Generally, any CRC error,regardless of when it occurs, will initiate a step up in target SIR byan amount that is half of the previous step up.

After the steady state is entered the step up and step down sizes aregenerally maintained at SU_(S) and SD_(S), respectively. Typically,where there is little change in the communication metrics, the steadystate algorithm produces a series of successive step up and step downcommands in a regular pattern (not shown) as is the case with theconventional jump algorithm. However, where the communication is subjectto a rapid change in operating conditions due to changes in interferenceor other factors, application of the steady state algorithm can be lessefficient. Accordingly, the steady state is varied from time to time tomeet rapidly changing conditions.

During the steady state, when a predetermined observation period ispassed with no CRC error occurrence, the step down size is preferablyautomatically increased. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,after the passage of eight TTIs without a CRC error, the step down sizeis temporarily doubled so that the eighth and following consecutive stepdowns are twice the SD_(S) amount.

It is preferable that the observation period be relatively long as it isassumed that the target SIR is close to convergence. Preferably, theobservation period is set to 5/BLER consecutive transport blocks. Thestep down value 2SD_(S) remains fixed until a CRC error occurs, when itis then returned to SD_(S). This improves the convergence time when asudden improvement in channel conditions occurs, giving rise to anexcessive measured SIR compared to the desired target SIR. The steadystate continues for the life of the CCTrCH communication with this typeof adjustment preferably being made whenever there is no CRC error in atime increment equal to the observation period.

Alternatively, when a predetermined observation period is passed with noCRC error occurrence, the process can revert back to the transient stateto reduce convergence time, and then proceed to steady state once thetarget SIR converges in the same manner as before. In such case, for theabove example, the step down value would switch from SD_(S) to SD_(TS)as defined above and then be incrementally reduced to the steady statevalue is CRC errors are detected.

For the case where more than one transport block is received per TTI(i.e., N_(B)>1) for the RTrCH within a CCTrCH, the target SIR ispreferably adjusted as follows:

target_SIR=current_target_SIR+(SU*N _(E))−SD*(N _(B) −N _(E))   Equation7

where N_(E) is defined as the number of CRC errors per TTI for theRTrCH. However, the step size is preferably only adjusted once per TTIat the beginning of the TTI and only if at least one CRC error ispresent in the TTI.

The outer loop algorithm described above is preferably implemented in aprocessor that computes the target SIR such as processor 36 of the openloop system illustrated in FIG. 2 and processor 74 of the closed loopsystem illustrated in FIG. 3. The implementation of the algorithmdetermines whether any CRC errors occur in a new TTI, adjusts the stepup and step down sizes appropriately, then applies the step adjustmentsbased on the individual CRC results. For example, consider a TTI withfour transport blocks (i.e., N_(B)=4), where three of the transportblocks contain a CRC error. If the step up size is SU_(T)/2 and the stepdown size is SD_(T)/2 prior to this TTI, the outer loop algorithm firstadjusts the step sizes to SU_(T)/4 and SD_(T)/4, then updates the targetSIR appropriately. The net result is that adjustedtarget_SIR=current_target_SIR+3(SU_(T)/8)−(SD_(T)/8).

For a 3GPP system, in both the transient and steady states, if the RTrCHis reselected (e.g., for variable bit rate services) and the target BLERof that new RTrCH is different from the old, then the SIR step sizes arerecalculated based on the new target BLER. In steady state, theobservation period is also updated, and the current count of blockswithout error is reset to 0. In transient state, in addition torecalculating the step sizes, an additional adjustment is made toaccount for the convergence that may already have occurred in thisstate. In other words, the initial step up SU or step down SD values arenot applied, but rather the current adjustment for detected CRC errorsis applied. As before, the fractional step up or step down size iscalculated with a factor ½^(n), where n is the number of TTIs since thestart of transient state that contained at least one CRC error. Forexample, if the current step down size before RTrCH reselection isSD_(Told)/4, then the step down size immediately after RTrCH reselectionmust be set to SD_(Tnew)/4 and the step up size must be set toSU_(Tnew)/4.

In FIGS. 7A-7C a flowchart for implementing the preferred algorithm fordownlink outer loop power control in a 3GPP system is provided. In FIG.7A, stage 300 represents preferred procedures during the inner loopsettling state. In step 302, the parameters for inner loop settlingtime, transient state step size SS_(TS), steady state step size SS_(SS),and TTI count are initialized. The inner loop settling time ispreferably set to 100 ms. The values for transient state step sizeSS_(TS) and steady state step size SS_(SS) are initialized according toEquations 6 and 7 above, respectively. The value for the TTI count isset to zero (0).

In step 304, a comparison is made between the product (TTI count*TTIlength) and inner loop settling time. If the product is greater than theinner loop settling time, then the settling state is complete, and thepower control algorithm proceeds to the transient state. If not, the TTIcount is incremented by one (1) in step 306, and the settling statereturns to step 304 for another comparison. Thus, the algorithm stage300 assures that enough TTIs have elapsed to allow the inner loop powercontrol to correct initial systematic error and random measurementerror.

In FIG. 7B, stage 307 represents preferred procedures for downlink outerloop power control which occur during the transient state. Step 308 isinitiated by the affirmative decision of step 304 from the FIG. 7Aportion of the flow chart. In step 308, the transient state parametersare initialized. The step size is preferably set to SS_(TS) according toEquation 5, the transient state step down is the step size factored bythe BLER value (i.e., SD_(T)=BLER*SS_(TS)), and the transient state stepup SU_(T) is the difference between the step size SSTS and the step downvalue SD_(T) (i.e., SU_(T)=SS_(TS)−SD_(T)).

In Step 310, a comparison is made between the step size SS_(TS) and thesteady state step size SS_(SS). The initial value for SS_(TS) isaccording to Equation 6 as determined in step 302. In step 310, adecision is made as to whether step size SS_(TS) is greater than steadystate step size SS_(SS). If not, the transient state is complete and thealgorithm proceeds to step 320 of the FIG. 7C portion of the flow chart.If so, the method proceeds to step 312 where it is checked whether NEnumber of TTI CRC errors are at least one in number. If not, the methodproceeds to step 318 where the target SIR is decreased according to thefollowing equation:

target_SIR=current_target_SIR−SD_(T) *N _(B)   Equation 8

In step 318, Target SIR is set to at least a minimum value MIN_DL_SIR.That is, if target SIR is less than a predetermined value MIN_DL_SIR,the target SIR is then set equal to that minimum value. With step 318complete, the process returns to step 310 with the newly decreasedtarget SIR.

Returning to step 312, if at least one CRC error has been detected forthe current TTI, the parameters for step size SS_(TS), step up SU_(T)and step down SD_(T) are adjusted in step 314 as follows. The transientstate step size SS_(TS) is set to half of the current value of SS_(TS).The step up SU_(T) and step down SD_(T) values are readjusted accordingto the new value of the step size SS_(TS) for the transient stateaccording to Equations 3 and 4.

In step 316, the target SIR is increased according to the followingequation:

target_SIR=current_target_SIR+(SU _(T) *N _(E))−SD _(T)(N _(B) −N _(E))  Equation 9

The new target SIR value is checked for being no greater than apredetermined maximum value MAX_DL_SIR. If the new target SIR is foundto be greater than this maximum value, the new target SIR is reset tomaximum value MAX_DL_SIR. The transient state continues by returning tostep 310 and repeating the cycle until the transient state step sizebecomes greater than the steady state step size in step 310.

In FIG. 7C, stage 319 represents preferred procedures for the steadystate portion of downlink outer loop power control. In step 320,parameters are adjusted for the steady state including the SIR step sizeand the steady state step up value SU_(S). The SIR step size is set tothe steady state step size SS_(SS) determined in step 302. The step upvalue SU_(S) is calculated according to Equation 3 using the steadystate step size SS_(SS). In step 322 an observation period is checkedfor being greater than or equal to 5/BLER. Initially the observationperiod will be less than 5/BLER, in which case step 324 commences wherestep down value SD_(S) is equal to BLER*SS_(SS).

In step 328, a check for whether at least one CRC error for the TTI isdetected. If so, step 330 commences where the target SIR is increased asfollows:

target_SIR=current target_SIR+(SU _(S) *N _(E))−SD _(S)(N _(B) −N _(E))  Equation 10

The observation period is reset to zero due to the detection of a CRCerror. If the new target SIR is greater than value MAX_DL_SIR, a newtarget SIR is set to the maximum value MAX_DL_SIR. Otherwise, the targetSIR remains at the calculated value by Equation 10. The process returnsto step 322 to examine the observation period. Once the observationperiod is greater than or equal to 5/BLER, step 326 commences where stepdown value SD_(S) is doubled. The process then proceeds to step 328 forchecking for CRC errors. If no CRC errors are detected, step 332 beginswhere the target SIR is decreased according to the following:

target_SIR=current_target_SIR−(SD _(S) *N _(B))   Equation 11

If this new target SIR value is less than a minimum value MIN_DL_SIR,the new target SIR is set to the minimum value MIN_DL_SIR. Otherwise, itremains at the calculated value. Following step 332, the algorithm state319 returns to step 322, and the algorithm 319 then repeats until theCCTrCH becomes inactive.

Specifically for NRT data transmissions over Temp_DCH allocations, thefollowing summarizes the preferred process for Temp_DCH allocationssubsequent to the first. The initial target SIR is taken from the lasttarget SIR left by the previous Temp DCH allocation. This initial targetSIR value is upper-bounded by the initial target SIR (from the initialmapping look-up table) plus an upper bound margin, and lower-bounded byinitial target SIR (from the initial mapping look-up table) minus alower bound margin. The initial target SIR is also adjusted based on thedata rate and required BLER of a new Temp-DCH allocation. In case theinter-arrival time of Temp-DCH allocation request is too long (e.g., 10sec.), then a linear combination of the initial target SIR from a RNClookup table and the bounded target SIR from the previous Temp-DCHallocation with appropriate weights (i.e. factored to account for theinter arrival time) is used. Once the initial target SIR is finallydetermined including the above described adjustments for a givenTemp-DCH allocation, the target SIR value will not be allowed to exceedor fall below this initial target SIR value by a given margin during theouter loop power control operation for that Temp-DCH allocation.

In FIG. 8, a flowchart for implementing an algorithm 500 with anenhancement of downlink outer loop power control, particularly for NRTdata allocations to Temp-DCH using target SIR history. The processresults in selection of an initial transient state step size for a jumpalgorithm described above, but based on duration of Temp-DCH allocation.Stage 501 provides preferred procedures for producing an adjustedinitial target SIR for each Temp-DCH allocation.

In step 502, an initial target SIR is selected by use of the modifiedconventional method as described above for the beginning of a radio linksetup for a WTRU or in each handover. In step 503, the Temp-DCH ischecked for whether it is a first allocation, i.e. the beginning of aradio link setup for a WTRU or in each handover. If so, step 504initiates a parameter alpha to zero. If not, algorithm 500 proceedsdirectly to step 505, where a new initial target SIR for this Temp-DCHallocation is adjusted by the following equation to compensate forinter-arrival time between allocations:

target_SIR(j)=(alpha)*(target_SIR(j−1))+(1−alpha)*(initial_target_SIR)  Equation 12

where j represents the current Temp-DCH allocation, target_SIR(j−1)represents the last target SIR of the previous Temp-DCH allocation, andinitial_target SIR is the initial target SIR determined from the mappinglookup table. The alpha factor is a forgetting factor to account for theinter arrival time between the beginning of the current Temp-DCHallocation and the end of the previous Temp-DCH allocation (e.g.,alpha=exp(−T/10) for T inter arrival time).

In step 506, upper and lower bound tests for the calculated target SIRis performed according to the values MIN_DL_SIR and MAX_DL_SIR. If valuetarget_SIR is greater than a predetermined maximum value MAX_DL_SIR,then the target_SIR value is set to this maximum value instead of thecalculated value. On the other hand, if target_SIR is less than thepredetermined minimum value MIN_DL_SIR, then the target_SIR value is setto this minimum value rather than the calculated value. In step 507, thetarget SIR is adjusted based on the data rate.

Next in step 508, initial transient state step size is determined basedon duration of Temp-DCH allocation. The RNC sends the Temp-DCHallocation duration information encoded at the header of the NRT databurst, preferably in terms of number of TTIs. The WTRU receives anddecodes the Temp-DCH allocation duration accordingly. Step 508corresponds to step 308 of FIG. 7B, but is modified for Temp-DCHprocessing. The following step size selections are described in terms ofpreferable ranges for Temp-DCH allocation. If the duration of a Temp-DCHallocation is less than 100 TTIs (at 90 to 95% in cumulative densityfunction the initial transient step size is equal to the steady statestep size (i.e., SIR_step_size_TS=SIR_step_size_SS).

If the duration of a Temp-DCH allocation between 100 to 200 TTIs, thenthe initial transient step size is equal to twice the steady state stepsize (i.e., SIR_step_size_TS=2 SIR_step_size_SS), and outer loop powercontrol will move from transient state to steady state after one CRCerror occurrence.

If the duration of a Temp-DCH allocation is between 200 and 400 TTIs,then SIR_step_size_TS=4 SIR_step_size_S, and the outer loop powercontrol will move from transient state to steady state after two CRCerror occurrences.

Finally, if the duration of a Temp-DCH allocation is greater than 400TTIs, then SIR_step_size_TS=8 SIR_step_size_SS, which is the same as theRT initial transient step size. The outer loop power control will movefrom transient state to steady state after three CRC error occurrenceswhere the example described above is implemented.

After step 508, the outer loop power control starts for the currentTemp_DCH allocation, in step 509 according to the enhanced outer looppower control of FIGS. 7B-7C.

Algorithm 500 repeats with each new Temp-DCH allocation.

It is to be noted that while the foregoing description refers to NRTdata as an example, the invention is applicable to RT also which is ofrelatively short duration. It is to be further noted that the parameterscomprising Temp_DCH duration, target SIR margins, and inter-arrival timeof Temp_DCH allocation requests can be varied to obtain betterperformance.

Preferably, the components that implement the algorithms illustrated inFIGS. 5-8 are implemented on an single integrated circuit, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC). However, portions of thealgorithms may also be readily implemented on multiple separateintegrated circuits.

The foregoing description makes references to outer loop power controlin the context of a 3GPP system as an example only and not as alimitation. The invention is applicable to other systems of wirelesscommunication including GSM, 2G, 2.5G or any other type of wirelesscommunication system where the equivalent of outer loop power control isimplemented. Other variations and modifications consistent with theinvention will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

1. An integrated circuit (IC) incorporated in a wirelesstransmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to converge target metrics froman initial target metric to a desired target metric that results in adesired transmission power control setting used by a base station, theIC comprising: a receiver configured to receive a series of temporarydedicated channel (DCH) allocations of data signals spaced apart intransmission time intervals on a forward channel; and a processorconfigured to compute target metrics for implementing forward channeltransmission power adjustments in the base station, further configuredto perform an error check per each transmission time interval, wherebyfixed step size adjustments are made to the target metric with afrequency equal to one adjustment per each transmission time interval ina step down increment for every error check detecting no errors and in astep up increment for every error check detecting an error, such thatthe step down increments are in response to a detection of a particularnumber of error conditions in the data signals received on the forwardchannel at the WTRU, and whereby the target metric adjustment is basedon the number of transport blocks of data sent per transmission timeinterval.
 2. The IC of claim 1, wherein the transmission power controlis divided into an initial state, a transient state and a steady state,and the processor is further configured to adjust the target metric inlarger step sizes during the transient state for compensation of initialtarget metric error caused by channel condition mismatch related toshort duration DCH allocations, compared with smaller step sizes duringthe steady state in which the target metric is maintained followingsuccessful convergence of the target metric.
 3. The IC of claim 2,wherein the processor is further configured to compute target metricssuch that the step up and step down increments are increased by a factorof 2 if a predetermined error condition has not been detected in apredetermined number of time intervals while the step down increment isset at the steady state level.
 4. The IC of claim 1 wherein theprocessor is further configured to perform an upper and lower bound testfor setting the initial target metric, where the upper bound is a firstpredetermined value added to the initial value and the lower bound is asecond predetermined value subtracted from the initial value.
 5. The ICof claim 1 in which the target metrics are target signal to interferenceratios (SIRs) wherein the processor is further configured to computetarget metrics such that the step up increment has a definedcorrespondence with the step down increment for each level and the IC isconfigured to conduct cyclic redundancy checks to detect the errorconditions.
 6. The IC of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured tocompute target metrics such that step up increments are significantlygreater than respective step down increments, the initial transientlevel step down increment is a factor of 2n of the predetermined stepdown increment for the steady state steady state level, where n isnon-negative integer, and where the step down increment is reduced,reduction is by a factor of ½.
 7. The IC of claim 1, wherein blockallocation sizes S are defined according to Transmission Time Intervals(TTIs) and the processor is further configured to compute target metricssuch that an initial step down increment is set such that n=0 for S<100TTIs, n=1 for 100 TTIs<S<200 TTIs, n=2 for 200 TTIs<S<400 TTIs and n=3for S>400 TTIs.
 8. The IC of claim 1, wherein the IC is implemented foruse in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) where thebase station is a network unit that transmits user signals on adownlink, wherein the IC is configured to compute target metrics basedon the detection of error conditions in the data signals received on thedownlink.
 9. The IC of claim 1, wherein the IC further comprises atransmitter configured to transmit the target SIRs on a reverse channelto the base station, thereby implementing an open loop transmissionpower control for the base station.